Hi i have a Rx-8 2004 .. i was driving on the freeway and i was using my paddle shifter all of the sudden my coolant inidicator light went on. I went to autozone to buy a coolant and they gave me prestone antifreeze/coolant. Im just worried, is this the right coolant for my car? do i have to put water with it? which one should i put first water or the coolant or just mix it up. please help this fellow rx8 kid! thanks!!!

 

Hey Chester, if the light came on and stayed on it's most likely because you're low.
I use Prestone coolant in my car so don't worry about that.

Question: when you look on the front of it, is it the 50/50 mix or straight coolant?
If it says 50/50, then you can just pour. If it's only coolant then you will want to mix in some water. (use only Distilled water)

Where in Cali are you?
How many miles on your '04? Also, have you ever had the system flushed? If you haven't, I would HIGHLY recommend it.

 

+1..................

 

its sez prestone antifreeze/coolant it doesnt say 50-50.. so i need to add water! sigh.. i shoulda just bought 50-50 .. would u recommend that one better? i could just go back with my receipt and ask them to change it.

i live in so cal.. near rancho cucamonga! my rx-8 got 50 k miles on it. and i bought when its around 48 k so i just got it. haha also. i went to this racing shop close to my area and i asked them how much for the tune up. they told me $400 bucks.. is that a good price or is it also good to just go to the dealership?

 

ChesteRx8, I'm sure Dozers Driveway will be a better place for a tune up. And a LOT LESS money. Listen to the SoCal members. They know what they're talking about.
Hook up with them and they'll take care of you.

 

Chester: it's a bit warm out where you are so I would recommend somethign closer to 60/40 or a 70% water, 30% Coolant mix.

$400 for a tuneup? Well, at least they're cheaper then the Stealership
The usual tune up for an RX-8 involves:
- New OEM Ignition Coils (approx $30 each, you'll need 4)
- New NGK OEM spark plugs ($80 from BHR)
- Oil Change
- Clean MAF
- Check Connections

it's actually pretty easy stuff. The Coolant change I would ABSOLUTELY recommend you get very very soon. Heat is one of the greatest enemies this vehicle has and because you drive a 2004 A/T, you only have one oil cooler.

Dozer has been instrumental in allowing SoCal members to work on their cars at his house and usually the cost of admission is some beer and pizza.
Chester: how good are you with basic maintenance stuff? These are all things you could handle yourself or even with a little guidance from members here.

Easy_E1: Thanks for the compliments!

 

2 words! IM EXCITED! i finally found a legit forum for rx-8 and i feel very welcomed! thanks for the replies on my thread. i really appreciate it!

i went out with my receipt to autozone and exchanged the straight coolant to 50/50 preston prediluted anti-freeze/coolant! .. im just going to wait for my car to cool down then ill put it in.. any advice or tips? im new to mazdas! haha but so far im lovin it and im hooked!!

ok where would u recommend to take my car for a tune up? whats the contact info and address? im really in love with my rx-8 and im lookin forward on modifying it little by little. thanks again!

 

chester welcome! lucky for you, you live in SOCAL, the most active region in the US...check it out, this is the "socal lounge" https://www.rx8club.com/west-rx-8-forum-34/socal-lounge-139025/ probably the most active thread on this forum...but the first page has lots of info on shops that are located here in SOCAL...

 

Chester: if you're looking for a shop to do the work, I recommend Neptune Speed in H.B.
for minor stuff though, I'm sure we can help you out. Don't forget the beer...

 

Welcome!

 

this is THE rx-8 forum. Welcome.
Lots of learning and reading you have ahead of you. don't worry though, as Dozer mentioned, you're fortunate to live in SoCal which is home to the most active rotary community (IMO) in the country.

Just go look for the SevenStock picture thread and you'll see how many of us there are.

 

thanks! ill check it out for sure!

 

yes for sure i wont forget the beer! ill even get a keg for all of us! hahaha